Deontay Wilder is likely to land another big fight before the end of the year after success against Derek Chisora, and now one of his most fierce rivals has called for a ‘personal’ grudge match.
Wilder has strung together two consecutive wins for the first time since 2019, first defeating Tyrrell Herndon in a low-profile return last June, before a split-decision triumph over Derek Chisora earlier this month.
However, speaking to Fight Hub TV, fellow American Jarrell Miller played down the recent resurgence of Wilder, unimpressed by his win over ‘Del Boy’.
“F**k no, [I wasn’t impressed by his performance against Chisora]. He looked like supers**t. I don’t think that Chisora was 100% in that fight because, compared to the last three fights that Chisora had, his conditioning was a lot better, he looked a lot stronger [in those fights].
“He looked a little flat in this one and Deontay looked like supers**t.
Miller then went on to admit that he would love the opportunity to face his 40-year-old countryman, declaring that their rivalry has become personal because of a situation involving Wilder’s ex-fiancée.
“I would love to fight Deontay, but Deontay has said multiple times ‘I am never going to fight Miller’ and then later on, after I talk more s**t, ‘I am never going to fight Miller because he is so disrespectful’. I’m like, ‘you is a punk b***h, we are fighters bro!’
“It’s a little personal, because he made it personal. I never made it personal, I’ve always had respect for him as a big brother because we were in camp a few times, but then he took the word of his ex over some stuff that I told him and he took it the wrong way. Then, he came to find out that I was right.
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“He took it personal… Like I say, bro’s before h**s, he didn’t listen to that motto – now he feeling the wrath of that s**t.”
FC Barcelona have confirmed that Lamine Yamal, who was forced off on Wednesday against Celta Vigo, is suffering from a left hamstring injury. The club has nevertheless stated that his participation in the World Cup is not in doubt.
Elsewhere in La Liga, Rayo Vallecano defeated Espanyol Barcelona (1-0) thanks to a goal from Sergio Camello (87th minute), maintaining momentum ahead of their Europa Conference League semi-final against Strasbourg.
Levante secured a 2-0 win over Sevilla in a relegation clash, moving to within one point of safety.
In the German Cup, Stuttgart reached the final after a 2-1 extra-time victory over Freiburg, with goals from Undav (70’) and Tomas (119’).
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In tennis, Gaël Monfils was eliminated in the first round of the Madrid Masters 1,000, while Terence Atmane and Aryna Sabalenka progressed. The tournament also featured the inauguration of a practice court at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
In the NFL, the Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 Draft.
In the NBA, Atlanta lead New York 2-1 after a narrow 109-108 victory.
In the last few days, Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq has seized the Minnesota Vikings’ mock-draft momentum, and while that’s great, it’s important not to forget Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers, who can rather reasonably be picked in Round 2.
The Sadiq buzz is louder. Stowers still matters.
The 2026 draft cycle for tight ends is basically SadiqMania, but whichever team lands Stowers, well, that fan base will be ultra-excited.
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Round 2 Could Bring Minnesota a Different Tight End Path
Stowers might be a nice consolation prize.
Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers (9) takes part in pregame warmups at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on Nov 8, 2025, going through drills on the field ahead of a matchup with Auburn as the Commodores prepare for kickoff in an SEC contest with both teams looking to gain momentum. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.
Stowers Perfect Aligns for Vikings in Round 2
The Vikings own the 18th overall pick on Thursday night. They will not use that on Stowers. That’s too high. But as a matter of coincidence, Stowers lives at No. 49 on the Consensus Big Board on draft day, and that’s exactly where the Vikings pick in Round 2 — No. 49.
Therefore, if Minnesota wanted a tight end, but Sadiq flew off the board too early, to the Baltimore Ravens, for example, Stowers can get-got on Friday night instead of Thursday.
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The Stowers Intel
Stowers is 6’4″ and 239 pounds, running a 4.51 forty at the NFL Combine. He was a quarterback in high school and has obviously made the switch to tight end quite adeptly. He’s known for his hands, catch radius, and versatility — offensive coordinators can line him up anywhere.
For weaknesses, Stowers is a bit undersized, and his run-blocking will need a lot of work.
The Ringer‘s Todd McShay on Stowers: “Stowers is still developing and needs to improve his route-running urgency and catch-point physicality. But from an athletic and explosive profile standpoint, he’s in the same elite tier as Vernon Davis, Kyle Pitts, and Noah Fant.”
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“Combine that with his year-over-year production improvements and exceptional intelligence testing, and there’s a chance he’ll emerge as one of the best offensive playmakers from the 2026 draft class in a year or two. Stowers is a versatile F tight end with big slot receiver traits.”
Stowers turned 23 earlier this month.
McShay added, “He recorded a high rate of chunk plays (30.6 percent of catches going for 15-plus yards), was efficient (2.43 yards per route run), was solid after the catch (5.9 yards per reception), and flashed a good tackle-breaking ability (nine forced missed tackles) last season.”
“Stowers also has outstanding athletic testing numbers (4.51-second 40 speed, 45.5-inch vertical, 11-foot-3-inch broad jump) that could make him a mismatch creator in the NFL. Stowers showcases elite spatial awareness and coverage recognition as a route runner.”
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The Hockenson Situation
When the offseason began, many Vikings fans expected TE1 T.J. Hockenson to be cut as a cap casualty. He was on tap to be the NFL’s highest-paid tight end. That didn’t make much sense because the Vikings used Hockenson as a blocking tight end in 2025, which makes the huge contract silly.
Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers (9) carries the ball during the first half against Auburn at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on Nov 8, 2025, turning upfield after the catch as defenders close in while the Commodores attempt to move the offense in a competitive SEC matchup. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.
But the veteran playmaker agreed to a paycut and his restructured contract makes him a free agent next year. In all likelihood, Hockenson will depart in 2027 free agency. Therefore, with Hockenson probably existing as a short-timer, a new tight end is needed. If Sadiq isn’t the guy, Stowers in Round 2 could check some boxes.
Zone Coverage‘s Carter Cox on Stowers: “Above all else, Stowers is versatile. His history of playing quarterback also makes him a candidate for many trick plays, which would make him a huge asset to Kevin O’Connell’s offense. Stowers also has blazing speed, which makes him a mismatch against linebackers.”
“Whatever position Stowers plays in the NFL almost doesn’t matter, given his talent. Whether he is a tight end, wide receiver, or wildcat quarterback, Stowers is a weapon on the offense. Adding Stowers to Minnesota’s tight end room would be critical at a time when the rookie can learn from Hockenson, while T.J. can still offer production, which is the best way for the Vikings to build their roster.“
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Other Round 2 Options
If Stowers does not interest the Vikings at Pick No. 49, non-TE options might look like this:
Caleb Banks (DT, Florida)
Chris Bell (WR, Louisville)
Germie Bernard (WR, Alabama)
Chris Brazzell (WR, Tennessee)
Brandon Cisse (S, South Carolina)
A.J. Haulcy (S, TCU)
Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas)
Lee Hunter (DL, Texas Tech)
Gabe Jacas (EDGE, Illinois)
Christen Miller (DL, Georgia)
D’Angelo Ponds (CB, Indiana)
Jadarian Price (RB, Notre Dame)
Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt)
Treydan Stukes (CB, Arizona)
R. Mason Thomas (EDGE, Oklahoma)
Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers (9) advances the ball after a reception during the second half against Kentucky at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on Nov 22, 2025, pushing forward through traffic as the Commodores look to sustain a drive late in the game. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.
Other tight ends after Round 2 include Ohio State’s Max Klare and Georgia’s Oscar Delp, among many others.
The second round of the 2026 Chevron Championship begins Friday morning at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the tournament on Friday, including full Chevron Championship TV coverage, streaming info and Round 2 tee times.
How to watch Chevron on Friday
Look out, Nelly Korda is starting major season on fire. The 2024 Chevron champion rocketed out of the gates on Thursday at Memorial Park, shooting a bogey-free seven-under 65. That gave the World No. 2 a two-shot lead to start her quest for her third major victory.
Patty Tavatanakit and Somi Lee will head into the second round T2 at five under.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul did not fare as well on Day 1. Thitikul, who has never won a major, made five bogeys on her way to a two-over 74 on Thursday. She’ll start Friday’s second round T80 and in need of a low round to make the cut and play the weekend.
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Defending champion Mao Saigo topped Thitikul by one shot. She’ll start Round 2 eight shots behind Korda.
You can watch the second round of the Chevron Championship on TV via Golf Channel, which will provide coverage beginning on Friday at 11 a.m. ET. A live simulcast of Golf Channel’s Friday coverage will be available on Peacock.
Below you will find everything you need to know to watch the second round of the 2026 Chevron Championship.
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Golf Channel will carry second-round TV coverage of the 2026 Chevron Championship on Friday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. ET.
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How to stream online Friday
You can stream the second round of the 2026 Chevron Championship via Peacock, which will provide a live simulcast of Golf Channel’s coverage for viewers beginning Friday at 11 a.m. ET.
The second round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans begins Friday morning at TPC Louisiana. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the tournament on Friday, including full Zurich Classic TV coverage, streaming details and Round 2 tee times.
How to watch Zurich Classic on Friday
Matt Fitzpatrick and his brother Alex are teaming up at this week’s Zurich Classic for the second year in a row. The good news after Thursday’s opening round is that it doesn’t look like the Fitzpatricks will miss the cut as they did last year. The bad news is they have a lot of work to do in Friday’s second round to get into contention.
The Fitzpatricks combined for an eight-under 64 in the four-ball format in Round 1. That puts them six shots behind early leaders Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer.
For the second round, all players will compete in the foursomes format (alternate shot), which could cause a lot of movement on the leaderboard.
You can watch the second round of the Zurich Classic on TV via Golf Channel starting on Friday at 3 p.m. ET. PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will provide exclusive streaming coverage beginning at 8:45 a.m. ET on Friday, as well as featured group and featured hole coverage all day long.
Below you will find everything you need to know to watch the second round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
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How to watch on TV Friday
Golf Channel will air second-round TV coverage of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans from 3-6 p.m. ET on Friday.
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How to stream online Friday
You can stream the second round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans via PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, which will offer streaming coverage starting at 8:45 a.m. ET on Friday in addition to featured group and hole coverage.
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In the gear world, we talk a lot about “disruption.” Usually, that’s just marketing-speak for a new paint job or a slightly thinner face. But every once in a while, something comes around that sounds crazy on its face but ends up really surprising you when you actually test the product. I can think of two off the top of my head, PXG and LAB Golf. I heard the story, had my early opinions, proceeded to test said product and was thoroughly impressed. Now both companies have seen success, grown, evolved and are as much a part of the industry as anything else.
Enter The Underground
If you haven’t heard the whispers yet, don’t feel bad. That’s by design. While the rest of the industry is shouting from the rooftops of retail stores, The Underground is operating in the shadows — and that’s exactly why the gear junkies, devout club players and, yes, Tour pros are starting to get excited.
I caught up with the minds behind the movement: Hollywood icon and certified stick Mark Wahlberg, industry veteran Garry Singer and retail titan Doug Meijer. They aren’t just trying to sell you a golf ball; they’re trying to change the way you think about what’s in your bag…and how you get it.
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The ethos of the “un-retail” ball
For Mark Wahlberg, it wasn’t about anything grandiose — it was about the making zero compromises. Mark lives the game, and for him, The Underground isn’t for everyone, and that’s the point.
“It’s a unique and exclusive club for golfers who want the best, like being different, and are committed to using the best products they can get.” It’s funny when I think of anything Mark Wahlberg participates in it harkens back to a brilliant quote he delivered in the movie Deep Water Horizon (“Hope, is not a strategy”) that actually applies here. It’s the idea that best intentions and a good idea won’t get you all the way home. You not only need to have the conviction and belief in the idea, but, ultimately, you gotta have a product that ain’t afraid of a fight. No one involved here needs this to work; they believe in it and know it works. And it’s not just these boys: a collection of athletes, entertainers, etc., are getting into this as well. Some may roll their eyes at the idea of all that but, again, Wahlberg, Meijer and Singer aren’t speaking to the masses here. Just that golfer that loves this kinda stuff. They exist, trust me, I know a bunch of them.
That “different” factor is huge. In a world where every foursome is playing the same three balls, there’s a psychological edge to teeing up something that the guy in the cart next to you literally cannot buy.
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Tour Validation: Sergio and Stenson It’s one thing for a celebrity to back a ball; it’s another for a major champion to put his career on the line with it. The Underground has already achieved what most startup brands never do: actual, week-in, week-out Tour validation.
Both Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson have moved away from the lifelong mainstream equipment contracts to create opportunities like this. Neither one is paid but they’ve invested in the platform, and it gives both the ability to make prompt tweaks on the fly which ain’t that easy in the mainstream.
For the record they both play the “club” ball currently… yes, the one the rest of the members play. BUT if they wanted something else, its’ a way easier activation due to the size of the company. Think of these pivots as turning a speed boat around vs. an aircraft carrier. Make sense?
For Sergio — one of the greatest drivers and ball-strikers of his generation — the switch wasn’t about a check. It was about finding a ball that reacted precisely how he wanted it to through the wind.
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Garry Singer, who has spent decades obsessed with ball chemistry (he started CLEAR Golf a few years back), sees this as the ultimate competitive advantage. For him, the goal isn’t “sales volume” — it’s “performance volume and pivoting at will.”
“It’s an exclusive club for golfers who know, appreciate,and strive to use a product that performs at a Tour-player level,” Singer explained.
The society of the fairway Doug Meijer looks at the landscape and sees a lot of golfers following the leader. He sees The Underground as a refuge for the person who values precision over popularity.
“I would define The Underground as a society of golfers who do not follow the crowd,” Meijer says. “People like to feel special in just about all their endeavors; The Underground gives them a chance to do that in golf. They can play an ultra-high precision product that is quite unique.”
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But let’s talk about the gatekeeping — because there is some. You don’t just walk into a big-box store and grab a dozen. Membership is by invitation only. If you’re lucky enough to get the call, the buy-in is $2,800. That covers your first 12 dozen balls and a haul of exclusive merch that makes it clear you’re part of the inner circle. It’s a steep price tag, but it’s a filter. It’s for the player who spends $400 on a round (or is a member at a private club) and doesn’t want their gear to be the weak link. There’s something about having that thing that not everyone can get, I always found it interesting with “Tour Issue” gear. Whether it was right for everyone didn’t really matter, it was the “hard to get” thing that made it fun.
The hidden advantage: No red tape As a gear guy, this is the part that gets me fired up. Usually, when a designer says, “I want to try this material,” the accountants say, “That’ll add $4 to the cost of the box, we can’t do it.”
At The Underground, the accountants don’t have a seat at the table.
“With regard to our advantage on the ball development and production side: We have no cost restrictions, no investor pressure and an incredibly deep team that possesses many, many years of experience,” Meijer added. “We have one simple goal: to create the best golf ball we can.”
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Think about that for a second. Imagine a R&D team with infinite runway and zero pressure to “ship by spring.” That’s a fun way to get breakthroughs. That’s how you get a ball that feels softer, with speed and that stays in the air longer.
My testing:
It’s a really good ball. Period. End of story. Is it for me? No. It doesn’t spin enough, but it’s really fast, feels amazing off the face, launches high and gives the player all the green side control you would want.
Here was a snap shot of the 7-iron shots I hit on Trackman.
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30 Shot Average using a Cobra 3DP Tour iron, 32 loft, Nippon 120X shaft:
Chrome Tour X Ball Speed 122.8 (Max speed 125.2) Spin: 6497 RPM Peak Height: 109 Feet Decent: 48.2
If I were to compare it to other balls, I’d say Callaway Triple Diamond or Titleist Left Dash would be just that. Is this one better than those? That’s up to the player honestly, but what I will call out is the feel of this ball. It has that HEAVY hit feeling off the face that I find quite attractive. I’d really love to see what a spinner ball from the Underground looks like. That would really pique my interest.
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The verdict: Is it for you? Look, most golfers are fine with what’s on the shelf at the local big-box store. And that’s okay. But there’s a subset of golfers — the ones with the means to participate and aren’t necessarily concerned what the rest of the world is doing. They want something unique, exclusive, something that piques curiosity. That’s what this Underground platform really nails on in my opinion.
I honestly think this idea has some legs, but will it take over the world? No. And that’s not what they are trying to do. This is for the that player that wants “the best”, loves the word exclusive and has the dough to make it a reality. I love that actually. This player does exist, there’s a bunch of them and The Underground is speaking to them.
The 67-year-old has shared details of his recovery, stating he is now “in a really good place.”
Hughton, who played for Tottenham, West Ham, Brentford, and the Republic of Ireland, and managed Birmingham, Norwich, Nottingham Forest, and Ghana, opted for prostate removal after medical advice.
He told the Daily Mail: “I had very good advice and all the treatment options were given to me, and I decided to have my prostate removed.
“The recovery has gone really well. I’m one year post-operation and I feel good. It’s all gone very well. I’ve got a lot of energy.”
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Hughton managed Newcastle and Brighton in the Premier League (Getty)
“Keeping active and busy is part of how I am anyway, but it’s also about rehabilitation and keeping your mind active as well.
“I’m very comfortable with my prognosis and my post-operation feelings. I’m in a really good place,” he said.
Hughton won the FA Cup and UEFA Cup with Spurs as a player before later moving on to the coaching staff at the club.
He spent 14 years at Tottenham as part of the backroom staff between 1993 and 2007 before opting to take the step into management.
Hughton won the Championship with Newcastle in the 2009-10 season as the Magpies secured an immediate return to the Premier League following their relegation the previous year.
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Hughton was surprisingly sacked by Newcastle in December 2010, but went on to manage several clubs across England over the next decade, a run that included a five-year spell at Brighton from 2014 to 2019.
He was named Ghana manager in 2023 but was relieved of his duties in early 2024 after the national team failed to make it beyond the group stage in that year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Some players prefer to function as a silent assassin on the field. The Vikings didn’t draft somebody who could be included among them. Or, at least, that’s not what DT Caleb Banks said.
After getting scooped up at No. 18, Banks took some time to chat with the Minnesota media via Zoom. While doing so, I asked him to offer his own scouting report, a changeup from the draft process that involves so many people imposing their view onto his game. Part of what made his answer fascinating was his insistence on relishing the art of trash talk.
The Vikings Welcomed a Trash Talker
Certain things stand out about Caleb Banks. Some basics:
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He’s 23
He stands at 6’6″ and weighs 330 pounds
Kevin O’Connell praised the DT’s on-field “violence”
But then there’s something inside of him that’s not as easy to see. Of course, enough time watching him may lead to noticing the chatter taking place before and after the whistle, but he identified the trash talking as being something that flows outward from his approach to the game.
Nov 23, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; A view of the line of scrimmage during the first half of a game between Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
He began his answer in a predictable, normal way. Essentially, some largely meaningless football language like working hard and being competitive. What made those details notable was his insistence on letting that competitiveness lead to chatter.
Kick it over to Banks, who quickly pivoted off his point about wanting to win his reps with a proclamation about trash talk: “Did I say competitive? That’s me, I’m going to talk smack all day long.”
Hard not to love that attitude, folks.
Any young lad has much to prove upon entering the NFL. Caleb Banks isn’t an exception. He’ll need to arrive ready to work, willing to continue shaving off the rough spots in his game as he looks to reach his high ceiling.
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To his credit, Banks did make note of some of those issues. He described “a little inconsistency on tape” while later clarifying a desire to see his “technique” get better as he grows more disciplined with his eyes.
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores looks on against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images.
Not that it was going to be an issue, but Caleb Banks has circled a few areas — consistency, hands, eyes — for DC Brian Flores and DL coach Ryan Nielsen to work on improving in the rookie. He is, like the rest of us, a work in progress.
Mr. Banks will be looking to prove the Vikings right for choosing him. He’ll do so with some belief in his own abilities, a confidence that spills out into a willingness to let his opponent get an earful as the game is unfolding.
Minnesota’s next pick arrives at No. 49, which arrives at roughly the middle of the 2nd. Later on Friday, the Vikings are set to use up a couple of 3rd-Round selections: No. 82 and No. 97.
Former New Zealand seamer Mitchell McClenaghan has stated that he wouldn’t leave Romario Shepherd out of the playing XI for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) clash against Gujarat Titans (GT). According to McClenaghan, Shepherd and Tim David form a terrific big-hitting duo, which gives RCB’s batting an edge in the death overs.
RCB went down to Delhi Capitals (DC) by six wickets in their previous match at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Shepherd was dismissed for one off four balls, trapped lbw by Kuldeep Yadav. He has played a couple of cameos, but some experts reckon that Jacob Bethell could be a better choice.
During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo Timeout, though, McClenaghan backed Shepherd to retain his place in the RCB squad for the IPL 2026 clash against GT on Friday, April 24. He opined:
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“He gives Tim David surety, having someone come in after him who can clear the rope and hit sixes. Even when they are at the crease together, they are a formidable partnership. So, if you take him out of the squad, you start looking down the barrel of breaking up that chemistry, or that safety blanket that Tim David has when he’s coming in, knowing Romario is behind him, and Krunal Pandya.
“I think back to when MI was so successful at the backend, you had Kieron Pollard, you had Hardik Pandya and you had Krunal Pandya. When you’ve got a buffer of three guys there at the end who can all clear the rope, that’s so important. So, I wouldn’t leave him out,” McClenaghan went on to add.
In six innings in IPL 2026, David has scored 173 runs at a strike rate of 203.52, with a best of 70*, which came off just 25 balls against CSK in a home game.
“The last over is a bit of a lottery” – McClenaghan on Shepherd bowling last over for RCB against DC
Shepherd bowled the last over of the previous match against DC. The batting side needed 15 runs and got home with one ball to spare. McClenaghan, however, downplayed Shepherd‘s inability to bowl RCB to victory in the match. Terming the last over as a lottery, he said:
“In terms of the strategy of him bowling the last over in the previous game, there’s been a couple of other occasions which he’s done it. They’re trying to bowl their best bowler in the 19th to get that run rate up as much as possible. And any good bowler can get hit for 20 or they can defend 10. The last over is a bit of a lottery. You can get three nicks and lose the game.”
David Miller struck two sixes and a four off Shepherd’s bowling to take DC home to a famous win against RCB.
Apr 23, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette (19) hits a three-run double during the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Bo Bichette seems to like batting leadoff for the New York Mets.
Good thing, because the Mets are going to be without their usual leadoff hitter for a while.
Bichette and the Mets will look to continue building a winning streak Friday night when New York hosts the Colorado Rockies in the opener of a three-game series.
Freddy Peralta (1-2, 4.05 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against the Rockies’ Michael Lorenzen (1-2, 7.48) in a battle of right-handers.
The Mets and Rockies were on the opposite ends of 10-8 scores as the host team in the rubber matches of three-game series Thursday. New York outlasted the Minnesota Twins, while Colorado fell to the San Diego Padres.
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Bichette went 3-for-5 on Thursday, when his three-run eighth-inning double snapped a 7-7 tie and helped the Mets avoid an ugly loss.
New York, which ended a 12-game losing streak on Wednesday, squandered a 7-2 lead on Thursday. The Mets then nearly frittered away the advantage again in the ninth, when Devin Williams gave up an RBI single to Tristan Gray before he ended the game by striking out Trevor Larnach with the potential tying run in scoring position.
The Mets won the same day Francisco Lindor, the team’s regular leadoff man, went on the 10-day injured list due to a strained left calf sustained Wednesday night.
“It’s hard to (establish) a timetable,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said regarding Lindor’s absence, “but we do know that he’s going to be down for a while.”
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Fortunately for the Mets, Bichette appears to be warming up after a slow start. The 28-year-old third baseman, who signed with New York in January, went 1-for-4 as the leadoff hitter on Wednesday, when Mendoza shuffled the lineup and batted Lindor fourth.
The three hits Thursday tied a season high for Bichette, who has collected a hit in seven of his past eight games to raise his average to .238 — only the third time this season that he ended a game batting higher than .230.
“I don’t know if it has anything to do with (being first in the lineup),” said Bichette, a career .282 hitter when batting leadoff. “I felt good today.”
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The Rockies appeared to be on the verge of a feel-good victory on Thursday and their second straight winning homestand to start the season when they carried an 8-5 lead into the ninth inning. However, closer Victor Vodnik, who got the final out of the eighth, gave up five runs in the ninth, including Gavin Sheets’ go-ahead three-run homer.
Colorado finished 3-4 on a homestand that included a split of a four-game series with the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Rockies, who went 4-2 on their first homestand of the season against the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros, had a 25-56 home mark last year, when they finished a franchise-worst 43-119.
The Rockies are 10-16 this season, which puts them ahead of only the Mets (9-16) and the Philadelphia Phillies (8-17) in the National League but well ahead of the pace they set last year, when Colorado didn’t record its 10th win until June 2.
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“It’s been a year so far with a lot of highs and some lows,” said Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak, who went 4-for-5 with two homers on Thursday. “Now it’s just going to be about finding that consistent high and figuring out ways to win baseball games.”
Peralta took the defeat in his most recent start, when he gave up three runs over 5 2/3 innings as the Mets fell 4-2 to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. He is 4-2 with a 3.49 ERA in eight career games (seven starts) against the Rockies.
Lorenzen didn’t factor into the decision Sunday after allowing three runs over five innings in the Rockies’ 9-6 win over the Dodgers. He owns a 2-1 record and a 2.61 ERA with two saves in 16 games (four starts) vs. the Mets.
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